Xplore Dundee’s FLY coach service between Dundee and Edinburgh Airport is benefiting from a trial of a Yutong GTe14 battery-electric coach, which is on loan from Pelican Bus and Coach.
Driver Gareth Almond took control of the launch journey, in which Cllr Lynne Short, Dundee City Spokesperson for Culture, Sport and History, as well as McGill’s Group Managing Director Alex Hornby and Xplore Dundee Director and General Manager, Stephen Riggans, were all on board.
Testing will continue over the summer months of the tri-axle, which has a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge.
The 53-seater coach debuted on National Express’s London to Stansted Airport service this spring.
Mr Hornby says: “I am proud that we are continuing our zero-emission journey with this exciting trial of a new, electric model coach on Xplore Dundee’s popular FLY coach link between Dundee and Edinburgh Airport.
“This demonstrates our continued investment to provide high-quality vehicles for our customers and to reduce emissions within our communities.
“This live testing is particularly apt in the week Dundee introduced its Low Emission Zone, with which we have been fully compliant for some time through our fleet of low and zero-emission buses and coaches at Xplore Dundee.”
Cllr Short adds: “This is an exciting development on what is a busy route to and from Edinburgh Airport, particularly as many people prepare for their summer getaway.
“I commend McGill’s Group not only for their investment in the FLY route but also their commitment to zero-emission, electric vehicles. This route provides vital connectivity for the city of Dundee and I’m delighted that McGill’s Group are continually looking for new ways to enhance it and attract even more passengers.”
